MUS CERVINIPES, Gould.
Buff-footed Rat.
Mus cervinipes, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., 1852.
The species of Rat figured on the accompanying Plate, which is rather widely dispersed over the eastern coast of New South Wales, possesses characters which distinguish it from all the known members of the genus inhabiting that country; its short, soft, adpressed, furry coat, destitute of any lengthened hairs along the hack and sides of the body, is one of the characters alluded to, the nearly uniform rufous colouring of its upper surface is another, and its slender, hairless, reticulated tail forms a third. The eastern brushes generally from the River Hunter to Moreton Bay are known to be inhabited by it; but how far its range may extend to the northward is as yet unascertained. Among the numerous specimens sent to me by Mr. Strange, several are labelled with the localities in which they were killed,—viz. Stradbrook Island, Moreton Bay, where it is called Corrill by the natives,—Richmond River, where the Aborigines term it Cunduoo,—and the plains bordering the upper parts of the River Brisbane.
The specific name has been suggested by the fawn-like colouring of its broad tarsi and feet.
Head, all the upper surface and flanks sandy brown, the base of the fur being dark slate-grey; tarsi and feet fawn-colour; under surface mottled huffy white and grey, the base of the fur being grey, and the extremity huffy white; tail purplish flesh-colour.
In some specimens the huffy white hue predominates and becomes conspicuous on the throat and breast.
In the young animal the upper surface is bluish grey and the under surface greyish white.
The figures in the accompanying Plate represent an adult of each sex and three very young individuals, all of the natural size.
